UW-Stevens Point: Treehaven first tree farm in Wisconsin receives 50-year recertification

University Relations and Communications, 715-346-3046, Fax 715-346-2042, http://www.uwsp.edu/news

Treehaven, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s education and conference facility located between Rhinelander and Tomahawk, has been awarded its 50-year recertification in the American Tree Farm System.

According to Kevin Burns, Treehaven forest ecologist, there are older tree farms in the United States, but Treehaven is the first tree farm in Wisconsin to receive the 50-year commendation.

“This recertification validates the commitment of UW-Stevens Point’s College of Natural Resources to sustaining healthy forests, wildlife habitat, water resources and outdoor recreation,” said Burns. “Sustainable management of the Treehaven forest also fulfills our social obligation to harvest timber resources in a manner which will provide local jobs and the wood products that are necessary to sustain our economy and standard of living.”

The American Tree Farm System is a national program of the American Forest Foundation’s Center for Family Forests. The program’s mission is to promote the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry.

The 1,400-acre Treehaven forest was originally accepted in the tree farm system on May 13, 1957, and since that time has continually practiced resource stewardship according to the standards of sustainable forestry advocated by the American Tree Farm System.

Treehaven annually instructs more than 200 resource management students during the summer months. During the winter months Treehaven becomes an environmental learning center offering public programs, K-12 experiences, continuing education and professional conferences. More information is on the Web at http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven.